In Michigan, a serious Stairways (Construction) violation carries a maximum penalty of $7,000 per violation in 2026, rising to $70,000 for a willful or repeat violation. Stairways (Construction) is enforced for private construction employers by Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), under MIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 21, R 408.42127 to R 408.42157 rather than 29 CFR 1926.1052. Michigan sets its own maximums, below the federal baseline.
29 CFR 1926.1052 · Michigan
Stairways (Construction) Requirements in Michigan
Stairways (Construction) in Michigan: 2026 penalties, who enforces MIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 21, R 408.42127 to R 408.42157, the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
MichiganConstruction (29 CFR 1926)State Plan: Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA)State-set maximums
Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) issued no citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 to Michigan construction employers in FY2025: on this subject the state enforces MIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 21, R 408.42127 to R 408.42157, which differs from the federal text.
0
1926.1052 citations in Michigan construction, FY2025
(c)(1)(i)
paragraph federal OSHA cited most nationwide (48 citations)
9.9
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, Michigan, 2024 (BLS)
What Michigan's own rule says
“When a building or structure has only 1 point of access between levels, that point of access shall be kept clear to permit the free passage of employees. When work must be performed or equipment must be used such that the free passage of employees at that point of access is restricted, a second point of access shall be provided and used.”
Michigan writes stairways into Part 21, "Guarding of Walking and Working Areas," rather than adopting 1926 Subpart X. The numbers a contractor knows survive (access at a break in elevation of 19 inches, stairs between 30 and 50 degrees, landings 30 inches deep and 22 inches wide every 12 feet of rise) but R 408.42127(2) and (3) add a duty with no federal counterpart: keep a point of access clear, and open a second one whenever work or equipment blocks the only one. R 408.42128 also requires the stairway fall protection to be installed before the work that makes the stairway necessary begins.
MIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 21, R 408.42127 to R 408.42157The duty itself differs from the federal text.
Falls and work deaths in Michigan, 2024
Michigan recorded 152 fatal work injuries in 2024, down from 166 in 2023. Falls, slips and trips caused 23 of them (15%). Construction accounted for 28, 12 of them from falls, slips and trips.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Michigan, 2024
How Michigan Enforces Stairways (Construction)
Michigan runs an OSHA-approved State Plan administered by Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), which covers private-sector construction. Its compliance officers enforce Michigan's own standards, which must be at least as effective as federal OSHA's and may go further. On this subject the rule is MIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 21, R 408.42127 to R 408.42157, which differs from the federal text (see the state rule above). Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) issued no citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 in Michigan construction in FY2025. Michigan also sets its own civil-penalty maximums, below the federal baseline (see the penalty table below).
A single inspection can produce several per-instance citations. Recurring self-audits against MIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 21, R 408.42127 to R 408.42157, before an officer arrives, are the most reliable defense.
HazComFast records the state of every jobsite and shows that the Michigan State Plan governs it. Start free
Help and oversight in Michigan
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In Michigan, the program is Consultation, Education and Training Division (Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Licensing & Regulatory Affairs). OSHA describes it as “Primarily for smaller businesses, no-cost, confidential consultations help employers identify and address hazards and establish or improve safety and health programs.” It is separate from OSHA enforcement; the employer commits to correcting serious hazards.
Read on osha.gov and the state's official statute site, September 26, 2026.
Michigan Penalty Amounts for Stairways (Construction) (2026)
Verified · 2026-10-05| Violation type | 2026 maximum | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Serious | $7,000 | Michigan state maximum |
| Willful | $70,000 | Michigan state maximum |
| Repeat | $70,000 | Michigan state maximum |
| Failure to abate | $7,000/day | Michigan state maximum per day |
Michigan's MIOSH Act (MCL 408.1035) sets its own maximums, unchanged since 1990 and well below the federal amounts: serious up to $7,000; willful/repeat up to $70,000 (minimum $5,000 per willful). Legislation to raise these to federal levels has been proposed but was not enacted as of mid-2026. Amounts are ceilings per violation. Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) computes proposed penalties under its own State Plan procedures.
Key Stairways (Construction) Requirements Under the Federal Standard 29 CFR 1926.1052
- Build stairways at 30° to 50° angle
- Provide handrails on open sides above 30 inches
- Stair rails must be 36 inches high (from stair tread)
- Use uniform riser height and tread depth
- Install mid-rails or screens between top rail and stringer
Who enforces it in Michigan: Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) inspects private employers, construction included, under an OSHA-approved State Plan. Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) can add requirements beyond the federal standard above, so check its own rules as well.
The compliance checklist, the paragraphs OSHA cites nationally and what an inspector checks under 29 CFR 1926.1052 are on the 29 CFR 1926.1052 page.
Stairways (Construction) Citations in Michigan, FY2025
Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) issued no citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 to Michigan construction employers in FY2025. On this subject the state's rule is MIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 21, R 408.42127 to R 408.42157. For reference, the paragraphs federal OSHA cited most nationwide:
Federal OSHA, construction, FY2025: 132 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052.
- 1
1926.1052(c)(1)(i) 48 citations
“At least one handrail; and”
- 2
1926.1052(c)(1)(ii) 37 citations
“One stairrail system along each unprotected side or edge.”
- 3
1926.1052(c)(1) 27 citations
“Stairways having four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches (76 cm), whichever is less, shall be equipped with:”
- 4
1926.1052(c)(12) 9 citations
“Unprotected sides and edges of stairway landings shall be provided with guardrail systems. Guardrail system criteria are contained in subpart M of this part.”
- 5
1926.1052(b)(1) 3 citations
“Except during stairway construction, foot traffic is prohibited on stairways with pan stairs where the treads and/or landings are to be filled in with concrete or other material …”
- 6
1926.1052(b)(3) 2 citations
“Treads for temporary service shall be made of wood or other solid material, and shall be installed the full width and depth of the stair.”
HazComFast count from the Labor Department's OSHA enforcement data: every federal OSHA citation issued in FY2025 to a construction employer (NAICS 23), by the paragraph cited. Paragraph text: eCFR, current as of September 24, 2026. data.dol.gov
Michigan Safety & Enforcement Profile
4,005
FY2025 construction citations
Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA)
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in Michigan, FY2025: Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (353), Roofing Contractors (182) and Framing Contractors (172), out of 1,931 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Construction fatality rate in Michigan, 2024: 9.9 per 100,000 full-time workers, 16th highest of the 40 states BLS published (all industries: 3.3).
HazComFast count from the Labor Department's OSHA enforcement data: inspections of construction employers (NAICS 23) opened from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025, federal OSHA and State Plan combined, grouped by the inspected employer's 2022 NAICS industry. Industry names are the Census Bureau's 2022 NAICS titles. data.dol.gov · BLS fatality rates by state, 2024
Free Stairways (Construction) Compliance Tools
Stairways (Construction) FAQ for Michigan
What are the penalties for Stairways (Construction) violations in Michigan in 2026?
In Michigan, a serious Stairways (Construction) violation carries a maximum penalty of $7,000 per violation, and a willful or repeat violation up to $70,000. Michigan sets its own maximums, below the federal baseline. Michigan's MIOSH Act (MCL 408.1035) sets its own maximums, unchanged since 1990 and well below the federal amounts: serious up to $7,000; willful/repeat up to $70,000 (minimum $5,000 per willful). Legislation to raise these to federal levels has been proposed but was not enacted as of mid-2026. Each distinct violation can be cited as its own item. (Source: MIOSH Act, MCL 408.1035; verified 2026-10-05.)
Which Michigan construction trades are inspected most?
The construction trades inspected most in Michigan in FY2025 were Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (353), Roofing Contractors (182) and Framing Contractors (172), out of 1,931 inspections opened, federal OSHA and State Plan combined (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data). Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) issued no citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 to Michigan construction employers that year. Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) inspects these employers directly and may apply requirements beyond the federal standard. For context, Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) issued 4,005 construction citations across 1,265 inspections in FY2025. Companies in these trades should self-audit against MIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 21, R 408.42127 to R 408.42157, Michigan's own rule on this subject.
How often is Stairways (Construction) cited on Michigan jobsites?
In FY2025, Michigan's state plan (Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA)) issued 4,005 construction citations across 1,265 inspections (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards, NAICS 23). Stairways (Construction) can be cited during any of them: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Michigan's fatality figures are shown above.
Which MIOSHA rule governs construction stairways?
Construction Safety Standard Part 21, R 408.42127 to R 408.42157, rather than 1926.1052. It keeps stairs between 30 and 50 degrees and landings 30 inches deep and 22 inches wide every 12 feet of rise, and R 408.42128 requires stairway fall protection to be installed before the work that makes the stairway necessary begins. MIOSHA enforces it at Michigan's caps of $7,000 (serious) and $70,000 (willful or repeat).
Who enforces stairway rules on Michigan construction sites?
MIOSHA, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, within LEO. Michigan runs a full OSHA-approved State Plan and enforces construction stairways under Construction Safety Standard Part 21 rather than the federal 1926.1052.
Can I get free OSHA help in Michigan without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in Michigan is Consultation, Education and Training Division (Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Licensing & Regulatory Affairs). OSHA describes it this way: "Primarily for smaller businesses, no-cost, confidential consultations help employers identify and address hazards and establish or improve safety and health programs." Consultations are separate from OSHA enforcement, and the employer commits to correcting serious hazards.
Stairways (Construction) Guides & Resources
Compare this combination against any other state and standard with the enforcement risk lookup.
Related standards
Stairways (Construction) in Other States
8 other state plans write a rule of their own for 29 CFR 1926.1052 rather than adopting the federal text unchanged. Those are listed first. Compare all of them side by side.
Alaska29 CFR 1926.1052 as adopted by 8 AAC 61.1010(c), with 8 AAC 61.1015 on postingArizona29 CFR 1926.1052 as adopted by A.A.C. R20-5-601California8 CCR §1626own maxHawaii29 CFR 1926.1052 as incorporated by HAR §12-110-50(a), with §12-110-3(c)MinnesotaMinn. R. 5207.0250, subp. 4NevadaNAC 618.505 and NAC 618.507Utah29 CFR 1926.1052 as incorporated by R614-1-4.A.4, with R614-1-5.D.5own maxWashingtonWAC 296-155-477
Other OSHA Standards in Michigan
Sources & verification
Penalty amounts and plan-type data were checked on 2026-10-05 against eCFR, OSHA.gov, and the Federal Register. This page is informational and not legal advice; consult the enforcing agency or counsel for your specific situation.
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OSHA does not give advance notice of inspections (29 CFR 1903.6). Get the binder in order before the opening conference, not during it.
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